Wireless BBQ Thermometer Talks Back, Enables Multi-Task Cooking

Share

Wireless BBQ Thermometer Talks Back, Enables Multi-Task Cooking

If you’re one of those weekend warriors looking for an edge in your next grilling experiment, here is another instrument that you can stick in your rib eye. The Grill Right Wireless Talking BBQ/Oven Thermometer, from Oregon Scientific, alerts the cook when a piece of meat has reached the perfect temperature designated by the user, and it does so through an electronic voice. The thermometer gives the user a choice of eight different entrees- beef, lamb, veal, hamburger, pork, turkey, chicken, and fish. The desired cooking range goes from rare to well done, and the sensor has a temperature range from 32°F to 572°F, which should be enough for most grilling possibilities.

The thermometer device also includes a digital LCD screen with a remote wireless probe to identify the temperature/readiness of the cut, and the probe itself is detachable and made out of stainless steel for easy cleaning. There’s also a useful multi-language option, with four audio alert options like “almost ready,” “ready,” and “overcooked.” We don't know how these voice commands sound, but wouldn’t it be great if you could record your own commands that defined each person’s interpretation of a perfectly cooked item? “I am finished. Take me home” would be one, and a narrow, gloomy “Nooooo” would be a great replacement for “overcooked.” Better yet, Oregon Scientific could hire James Earl Jones and guarantee a successful and classy product.

The thermometer’s transmitter must be within 100 m (330 ft) of the main unit for it to work, and when it’s too far away, the unit will beep three times (hopefully in an irritating tone) until it comes back into range. And the sensor reception icon provides a constant status of the meat. The only problem one might see with this device is that when the probe connector hooks up with the transmitter jack, the cord might fall into the grill and cause some damage, but according to the manufacturer, the cord is fire-safe and mostly idiot-proof.

Personally, if a food-related gadget does not significantly improve on what’s already available, it’s not good enough to buy. In this case, having a perfectly cooked steak every time out seems like a good enough reason to try it, but we’ve yet to put it to the test – if you’ve tried this item, let us know what you think. Check it out at OregonScientific.